Didn't exactly light it up tonight. Which might be good so his draft stock doesn't soar. But I'm a little concerned that it looks like he can't run inside because of his build and thus this keeps BJGE sharing the rock.

Didn't exactly light it up tonight. Which might be good so his draft stock doesn't soar. But I'm a little concerned that it looks like he can't run inside because of his build and thus this keeps BJGE sharing the rock.

I should have read the Rotoworld notes before coming here... Looks like they agree.

Giovani Bernard rushed 10 times for 28 yards and a touchdown, and caught three passes for 16 yards in his NFL preseason debut Thursday night.

Bernard showed quicks and speed to get the corner, and also some shake and bake on a ten-yard punt return. On Bernard's lone true open-field opportunity -- a reception down the seam -- he slipped while attempting to make a cut, appearing overanxious. Bernard has jets and lateral agility, but was repeatedly stuffed near the line of scrimmage. Bernard lacks any semblance of power, which is probably going to keep BenJarvus Green-Ellis involved. The rookie remains a vastly superior fantasy choice with RB2 potential.

I should have read the Rotoworld notes before coming here... Looks like they agree.

Giovani Bernard rushed 10 times for 28 yards and a touchdown, and caught three passes for 16 yards in his NFL preseason debut Thursday night.

Bernard showed quicks and speed to get the corner, and also some shake and bake on a ten-yard punt return. On Bernard's lone true open-field opportunity -- a reception down the seam -- he slipped while attempting to make a cut, appearing overanxious. Bernard has jets and lateral agility, but was repeatedly stuffed near the line of scrimmage. Bernard lacks any semblance of power, which is probably going to keep BenJarvus Green-Ellis involved. The rookie remains a vastly superior fantasy choice with RB2 potential.

This is fine with me. Hopefully he has another pedestrian performance next week since I draft next Sunday. Rather his stock stay right where it is now or drop.

Yeah idk whose talking about Bernard as a 3 rounder, that's just an insane reach if you ask me. In all the nfl.com mock drafts I've been able to draft him as a bench player so 8 round or later so I think that is great value for a potential starter in the second half. We are all playing for the playoffs right, so why not take a chance on him. Consistently every year the Bengals have a pretty solid running game.

That is because they are one of the few teams that typically does not run a committee. That will change if the carries are split. Furthermore, they are more of a power running team and based off of reviews Gio is the "change of pace" back. Agree good value and potential late, but wouldn't touch him at this point until all my starting RB, Flex, and WRs are filled. Could change if he begins to show inside running ability. The true take away at this point is he DE-VALUES the law firm.

I should have read the Rotoworld notes before coming here... Looks like they agree.

Giovani Bernard rushed 10 times for 28 yards and a touchdown, and caught three passes for 16 yards in his NFL preseason debut Thursday night.

Bernard showed quicks and speed to get the corner, and also some shake and bake on a ten-yard punt return. On Bernard's lone true open-field opportunity -- a reception down the seam -- he slipped while attempting to make a cut, appearing overanxious. Bernard has jets and lateral agility, but was repeatedly stuffed near the line of scrimmage. Bernard lacks any semblance of power, which is probably going to keep BenJarvus Green-Ellis involved. The rookie remains a vastly superior fantasy choice with RB2 potential.

This is fine with me. Hopefully he has another pedestrian performance next week since I draft next Sunday. Rather his stock stay right where it is now or drop.

Growing hype and exciting talent, but still has a semi-bellcow in front of him?

LeGarrette Blount was a semi-bell cow in front of Doug Martin last year too. Not comparing Martin and Bernard, but the situations are very similar. Bernard is clearly more talented and faster than BJGE; and Blount was the nominal starter for Tampa last year when the season began. It didn't take long for the talent to take over. I see the same thing in Cincy in 2013.

Growing hype and exciting talent, but still has a semi-bellcow in front of him?

LeGarrette Blount was a semi-bell cow in front of Doug Martin last year too. Not comparing Martin and Bernard, but the situations are very similar. Bernard is clearly more talented and faster than BJGE; and Blount was the nominal starter for Tampa last year when the season began. It didn't take long for the talent to take over. I see the same thing in Cincy in 2013.

I like Bernard, but he isn't the same kind of runner Martin is/was. Martin was drafted because he was a primary ball carrier who could handle 3rd down duties as well. Bernard is more of a 3rd down back who we hope can be a primary ball carrier. In this case it seems that the Law Firm and Bernard are pretty complimentary. Law Firm has not explosion, but is a tough inside runner that is effective between the tackles (especially short yardage). Bernard is an explosive back outside the tackles and a great pass catcher but has yet to prove he can handle tough inside yardage. I think it will look very similar to Bradshaw/Wilson of last year except I expect it to be more of a split (Coughlin got tough on Wilson quick last year).

I personally don't think that Bernard is in the same level of talent that Wilson was, but I think his coaching situation as a rookie is a little better. Long term Bernard will be boom or bust. Not a whole lot of middle ground. If he can run inside he could be a top 10 back. If he can't he will be relegated to a situational player. At this point i am not really sure where he will end up.